Leeds go to Sheffield looking for revenge

Quote of the Week

Giants’ Head Coach Jeff Jones. Photo by Jack Hinds Photography.

Cheshire have strengthened since the last time we played them and talent-wise they are the second strongest team in the league, behind Newcastle, and that may only be because Newcastle, as a core of players, have been together longer.

For us to win, we have to not miss a shot, give up no turnovers and get every rebound on the defensive end of the floor, and then we may have a chance, but as always we won’t quit and we do all we can to win.Giant’s Head Coach Jeff Jones

Leeds make the short journey to Sheffield

Leeds Force with another tough road trip, Photo by Chris Midgley.

It is round two of the Yorkshire derby on Friday evening when Leeds Force head south to take on the Sheffield Sharks, and Force coach Matt Newby knows his side need to put in a better effort that they did last time the teams met.

On that occasion it was a 71-52 win for the visiting Sharks, who not only out-rebounded Force 44-43, but took control after holding Leeds to just five points in the second quarter.

“We need to be a lot smarter than we were last time,” admits Newby, whose side will take on a Sheffield team brimming with confidence after two big wins at Surrey and London last weekend.

“I thought the Sharks applied the full-court press really well that night and that negated a lot of our offensive output.

“We’ve got to be smarter when that pressure comes. Ultimately if we do that, we give ourselves an opportunity to score in the half-court and then we’re going to be in good shape. “He added: “Additionally we’ve got to play a lot stronger in terms of interior defence. Mike Tuck was very good and Olu Babalola was at tough match-up for us last time.

“I think we got bullied inside and that shouldn’t happen.

“While Newby likes what his side can do at the defensive end, he believes their offence will improve if they up their transition game.

“We’re a good team defensively, and our execution on offence needs to improve for us to get a higher output, but additionally we need to capitalise on what our defence has been giving us,” he said.

“We’re getting stops and we’ve held teams to low margins, but we haven’t capitalised on the achievements you can get from transitions.

“We’re probably about 10-15 points down because we’re not capitalising on transitions.

“Newby added: “On the back of the schedule we’ve had over Christmas to come away with a win against a top tier team would stand us in good stead for the second half of the season.”

Another tough night on the road for the Force

Anthony Rowe feels defeat at home to a title rival has sharpened Leicester Riders’ focus ahead of their first outing of 2015.

Riders were undone by a short-handed Worcester Wolves last time out, a reverse, which could prove costly come the end of the season.

But far from puncturing the spirit of Rob Paternostro’s men, Rowe believes it has once again prompted the squad to look inwards for the desire to improve.

Riders host Leeds Force on Saturday, before travelling to London Lions on Sunday, and Rowe expects to start the New Year with a step in the right direction.

“Losses are always tough to take, but I think it was difficult to deal with knowing that we had dropped one on our home court,” said Rowe.

“The loss has made us take a further look at ourselves both individually and as a unit. We hope to use this to better ourselves in 2015.”

Matt Newby’s side will also be hoping to start 2015 on a brighter note than they finished 2014, having suffered three straight defeats, before facing Sheffield Sharks on Friday.

But Rowe will not read anything into that, instead recalling how tough a side they were to beat on that occasion.

Rowe added: “We are currently 1-0 against Leeds this season, but we had to work for that win. Leeds are well organised and they play together.

“They were leading us at half-time and we had to fight to get the win so they could prove a difficult challenge again this time around.”

Surrey United welcome Newcastle Eagles

Surrey United feel like a completely new team to Elvisi Dusha, and they will have to produce a performance unlike any other to halt Newcastle Eagles’ unbeaten run on Saturday.

The reigning champions take their 15-game perfect league sequence to Surrey on Saturday to face a side still recovering from two tough losses against Sheffield Sharks and Manchester Giants.

But Fab Flournoy and his side will face a different challenge from the side they swept aside in October.

“It does feel like a completely new team, however it also feels like I have played with theses guys for a long time,” said Dusha.

“We gel really well and are close on and off the court, more with this group than recent groups I’ve played with.

“We are slowly picking the right players and considering we still have an import spot that puts us in a great situation.”

He added: “Last weekend was very tough, by far the most heart-breaking weekend I have had in my pro career.

“We had two very winnable games, they should have been two wins.

“We played great defence for about 25 minutes but them let it slip away.”

The recent additions of Anthony Downing, Donatas Visockis, Rick Cardoso and Patrick Manifold have certainly bolstered Jack Majewski’s options.

But in the unstoppable league leaders he faces a fearsome foe.

Dusha, however, insists United have what it takes to cause an upset, but that they must be the first to believe it is possible.

“Newcastle in my eyes are the best in the league hands down, by far the most dangerous team home or away,” admitted Dusha.

“It will take 40 minutes of complete focus and effort to beat them and we can’t afford to have these lapses or mistakes. I do believe we can get them just have to really want it.”

The North West Showdown

Cheshire Phoenix’s forward momentum is not confined to the court, as they prepare to host north-west rivals Manchester Giants on Sunday.

John Coffino’s men enjoyed a week of rest over Christmas but are back in action to build on their eight-game winning streak this weekend.

That run has seen them surge into the title race, but it goes beyond that, with the club and community thriving as one.

“It starts at the top with Andrew Donaldson and his staff of many volunteers,” said Coffino.

“Our players are just as avid as they are and, of course, we have the best fans in the BBL.

“We feed off each other. When we give them something to cheer, they really go wild. When we need them to pick us up, they are there for us.

“The excitement around the community is rising and the players and club are getting the recognition around town, deservedly so. But it all comes from hard work and being on the same page.”

It is the turn of Giants to try and rip up the form book on Sunday, as they were well beaten when the teams last met in Manchester, back in November.

Durham Wildcats looking to get back on track

Refreshed and ready for the second half of the season, Durham Wildcats will be aiming to emulate Bristol Flyers’ ability to respond to disappointment when the teams meet on Sunday.

Bristol Head Coach Andreas Kapoulas

Andreas Kapoulas’ side bounced back from BBL Cup heartbreak to edge Plymouth Raiders last weekend while Wildcats were without a game following a tough loss to BBL Play-off rivals Manchester Giants.

But Wildcats coach Lee Davie insists his side are ready to go again, ironing out the kinks in their game to repeat the 72-61 success against Flyers earlier in the season.

“We used our time off to rest up and get ready for the second half of the year. Everyone looks refreshed and ready to go,” said Davie.

“We’ve just got to keep working, we’re always in games and generally playing well in spells. We’ve got some issues to overcome to close games out the right way.”

Flyers finished in the right fashion against Raiders, closing out a tight battle with an important win.

Davie knows exactly what to expect from Sunday’s visitors, and is aware the desire to start the New Year on a positive note, could also add to the occasion.

Davie added: “Bristol are very well prepared for each game and compete at each end of the floor.

“We should be prepared for a hard physical battle, as both teams will be looking to start 2015 off with a win.”

London Lions welcome Leicester Riders

London Lions welcome the Leicester Riders

Vince Macaulay will be looking for a response to his team’s ‘shocking’ performance against Sheffield Sharks, when they host Leicester Riders on Sunday.

Lions slipped to an 81-61 defeat last time out, their third loss in four games – and their heaviest of the season.

Macaulay was left in little doubt as to where the problems began, and will not accept anything less than maximum effort against Riders.

Macaulay said: “I think just playing with effort would be a start, I was shocked by our display against the Sharks and take it upon myself to ensure that can never be repeated, the fans showed more passion than my team.

“Leicester are a tough team and we played very much to plan the last time [we beat them], the only thing that can see us achieve victory will be sticking to the game plan and playing hard for as long as it takes.”

Lions enjoyed an impressive victory in their previous meeting with Rob Paternostro’s men, and it appeared to be the start in an upturn in the capital club’s fortunes.

But a dip has followed, and Macaulay wants to see the same intensity applied to all areas of his team’s endeavours, so Riders could well face a backlash on Sunday.

He added: “As well as looking for consistency in games we are looking for consistency in practice and consistency in behaviour, our performances so far reflect that accurately.”

Plymouth face a resilient Worcester Wolves

Worcester Wolves were without Robert Thurman through the festive period, but emerged with two crucial wins, and will aim to extend that sequence at Plymouth Raiders on Sunday.

Second-placed Wolves bounced back from a narrow loss to London Lions with victories against Leicester Riders and Leeds Force, despite the absence of their dominant big man due to an ankle problem.

Thurman could yet miss Sunday’s trip too, but Paul James will be confident his team can once again collectively fill the void.

Up-and-coming guard Disraeli Lufadeju, is one of the men capable of picking up some of the slack, as he continues to improve.

“I just know my role a little bit more now,” said Lufadeju.

“Last year I didn’t really play much, because I didn’t really understand the game, but having played a year in the BBL I understand where I can get my open looks and I feel I am going to continue being a defensive stopper.

“I will just key in on my defence and when I get an opportunity to score, take it.”

He added: “Alex Owumi and Chavis Holmes are very experienced, also Jamal Williams, so every day I am learning so much, just picking the minds of each of my team-mates and adapting it to my game.”

Raiders come into this game following defeat to Bristol Flyers, and Lufadeju is confident of maintainig the pressure on leaders Newcastle Eagles.

Lufadeju said: “Offensively Plymouth are pretty tough. But we are just going to keep attacking them and limit them as much as we can.

“We have to try and limit them to only one shot per possession.”

It could take just one shot for Owumi to pass Anthony Paez as Wolves’ all-time leading scorer too, as he requires just three points to do so.

But Coffino insists his side are chomping at the bit to get back on the court, and will not rest in their pursuit of another victory.

Coffino added: “Manchester have improved and are a different team from last time we played them at their place.

“We are also a bit stronger and will be up for this derby game. “They shoot the three well and play hard for 40 minutes.

“We are looking forward to getting back on the court and resuming from where we left off.”